Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) returned to the global stage at CES 2026 with the world premiere of the AFEELA Prototype 2026, a next‑generation electric vehicle designed to merge automotive engineering with Sony’s entertainment and interactive technologies. The unveiling marks the company’s most confident step yet toward redefining the “software‑defined vehicle” category.
🌐 AFEELA Prototype 2026: A Car Built Around Digital Experiences
The new prototype continues SHM’s vision of a vehicle that behaves less like a traditional car and more like a connected entertainment platform. The 2026 model showcases:
- A refined exterior with improved aerodynamics
- Expanded sensor arrays for autonomous‑driving development
- A panoramic digital cockpit
- Deep integration with Sony’s media, gaming, and cloud ecosystems
SHM emphasized that the AFEELA line is being engineered as a long‑term platform, not a one‑off EV. The 2026 prototype represents the next iteration of that roadmap.
🎮 PlayStation Integration: What Sony Is Hinting At
Sony has repeatedly teased that AFEELA will eventually support PlayStation‑level interactive entertainment, but CES 2026 marks the first time the company openly framed gaming as a core pillar of the vehicle’s identity.
While SHM did not announce full PlayStation hardware inside the prototype, executives highlighted several future‑facing capabilities:
🕹️ 1. Cloud‑Based PlayStation Experiences
Sony’s cloud gaming infrastructure is expected to play a major role. Once the vehicle reaches consumer hands, SHM is positioning AFEELA as a platform capable of:
- Streaming PlayStation titles via the cloud
- Supporting DualSense controllers
- Running games on the main infotainment display or rear‑seat screens
This approach avoids thermal and power constraints of embedding a full console while still delivering the PlayStation ecosystem.
🎧 2. PlayStation UI Elements in the Vehicle OS
AFEELA’s software interface is being designed with Sony’s entertainment DNA:
- PlayStation‑style navigation
- Integrated PlayStation Network account login
- Access to cloud saves, trophies, and digital libraries
Sony wants the car to feel like an extension of the PlayStation experience.
🚀 3. Potential for Native PlayStation Hardware in Future Models
Sony did not confirm this, but industry analysts expect that:
- AFEELA may eventually support native PlayStation silicon
- The car could run lightweight PS4/PS5‑era titles locally
- Rear‑seat entertainment could evolve into a full gaming suite
Sony’s own comments suggest they are leaving the door open for deeper hardware integration as EV compute platforms mature.
Evidently the main question is when Sony and Honda expect to make the EV available publicy and both japanese reaffirmed its timeline starting that the first AFEELA production models are still expected in 2026, with pre‑orders opening earlier depending on region, acknowledging that the CES prototype represents the near‑final design direction.
🌍 Market Rollout
- Initial launch markets are expected to include:
- United States
- Japan
- Select European regions
🔌 Software Features Will Roll Out in Phases
Sony emphasized that many of the advanced entertainment and AI features — including PlayStation‑related capabilities — will arrive through:
- Over‑the‑air updates
- Subscription‑based enhancements
- Optional entertainment packages
This aligns with the broader EV industry trend of “feature‑as‑a‑service.”
📰 Bottom Line
The AFEELA Prototype 2026 is more than a car — it’s Sony’s attempt to fuse mobility with its entertainment empire. While full PlayStation hardware isn’t inside the prototype yet, Sony is clearly preparing the ecosystem so that when the vehicle reaches consumers, PlayStation‑powered experiences will be one of its signature features.
